Polymeric catalyst composition for hydrocarbon oxidation

ABSTRACT

Novel polymeric compositions and processes for employing the same as autoxidation catalysts in the oxidation of olefins and secondary and tertiary alkylaromatic compounds are provided herein. These novel compositions comprise organometallic compounds which incorporate in the backbone or on side groups in the polymer polar units capable of binding suitable metal ions which together form the oxidation catalyst.

United States Patent 1 Angstadt et a1.

[ POLYMERIC CATALYST COMPOSITION FOR I-IYDROCARBON OXIDATION [75] Inventors: Howard P. Angstadt, Media; John P.

Bare, Wilmington. both of Del.

[73] Assignee: Sun Ventures, Inc., St. Davids, Pa.

[22] Filed: June 25, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 482,920

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 217,945, Jan. 14,

1972, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl 260/77.5 C; 260/2 M; 260/2 P; 260/77.5 CH; 260/89.7 R; 260/1125 [51] Int. Cl C08g 22/02 [58] Field of Search 260/2 M, 2 P, 77.5 CH, 260/77.5 C, 89.7 R, 112.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.821.512 l/l958 Haven 260/2 M 1 June 17,1975

3,242,102 3/1966 Schmeckenbecker 260/2 M 3,242,105 3/1966 Waack 260/2 M 3,645,918 2/1972 Kenst 260/2 P OTHER PUBLICATIONS Coats et al., J. Chem. 500., 1962, pp. 2523-2525. Block et al., Polymer Preprints. Vol. 13, No. 2, Aug. 1972, pp. 784-786.

Primary ExaminerM. .1. Welsh Attorney, Agent, or FirmGeorge L. Church; Donald R. Johnson; Stanford M. Back 13 Claims, N0 Drawings POLYMERIC CATALYST COMPOSITION FOR HYDROCARBON OXIDATION RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of US. Ser. No. 217,945, filed Jan. 14, 1972 by Howard P. Angstadt and John P. Bare, and now abandoned.

The subject matter of the instant invention is closely related to the following pending applications, all of SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has now been found, in accordance with the present invention, that certain polymers, which contain in their backbone or as pendant side chains those functional groups capable of complexing with metal ions, can form, together with these metals ions, valuable autoxidation catalysts for the oxidation of compounds containing activated carbon-hydrogen bonds such as olefins or secondary or tertiary alkylaromatic compounds to produce the corresponding hydroperoxides Oxidation of Hydrocarbons BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a novel composition and method for using the same as catalysts in the oxidation of hydrocarbons. More particularly, this invention re lates to the oxidation of compounds such as olefins and secondary and tertiary alkylaromatic hydrocarbons to form the corresponding hydroperoxides or like oxidation products, wherein there is employed as the autoxidation catalyst novel organometallic compounds having polymeric backbones.

In the above-mentioned related cases, Ser. Nos. 772,421; 773,633; 777,493; 787,582; 801,187 and 853,547, filed in the name of Angstadt (et a1), there is disclosed a series of organometallic autoxidation catalysts comprising such ligands as hexaalkylphosphoramides, trialkylphosphates, dialkylsulfoxides, tetraalkylureas, and the like, as well as thermally condensed polyacrylonitrile, complexed with metal ions selected from various groups of the Periodic Table. However, as shown in the last-mentioned case above, Ser. No. 860,816, each of these as well as other related organometallic catalysts is generally characterized by being very sensitive to water formed during the course of the oxidation, i.e., hydrolytic instability, which rapidly deactivates the catalyst. While the use of a dessicant, as taught in this latter case, satisfactorily avoids this problem, nevertheless the providing ofa solid, insoluble cat alyst which is both hydrolytically stable and easily recoverable, as contrasted with the more soluble organometallic complexes listed above, would be highly desirable. Not only would such catalyst have a longer life and be more readily recoverable, but also the need for the added dessicant would be avoided.

US. Pat. Nos. 2,821,512; 3,242,102; and 3,242,105 illustrate polymeric compounds containing bonded into their polymeric backbone structure various metals. However, in each case, these metals are so completely bonded to the polymer structure that they are sterically hindered and cannot function as catalytic agents.

and/or aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, acids and the like. These resulting polymers have been found to be more hydrolytically and/or thermally stable than corresponding non-polymeric organometallic catalysts. Moreover, since these compounds are insoluble under the conditions of this process, they are much more readily recoverable than the previously known soluble catalyst complexes.

By the term activated carbon-hydrogen bonds" is meant those hydrogen-containing atoms in aliphatic groups such as methylene or methine groups which are adjacent to certain activating groups as defined more fully hereinbelow.

PREPARATION OF THE POLYMERIC CATALYSTS In general, the novel catalysts of this invention are composed of two components, viz., (1 a polymer having functional groups either (a) incorporated in the polymeric backbone or (b) as pendant groups attached to said polymeric backbone; and (2) metal ions complexed solely with said functional groups. By definition, since the metal ions are attached only to the pendant functional groups, they do not form an integral portion of the polymer backbone, and are thus sterically exposed, thereby facilitating their function as catalytic agents. Moreover, it is not necessary that every functional group within the polymer contain a complexed metal ion. By the term functional groups is meant those groups in the polymer which are capable of complexing with metal ions and usually these groups will possess one or more hetero atoms from the group consisting of O, S, N, P, C], and Se.

These aforementioned polymeric catalysts may beprepared in one of two ways: (1) by polymerizing, in the presence of a metal ion, compounds capable of forming a polymer which contains the desired functional groups in the backbone or as pendant groups; or include Such compounds as Styrene, Vinyl alcohol urea, (2) more preferably, by preforming the above-defined ethylene diamine, and the likepolymer and thereafter (a) fusing it with the metal ion, The source of the metal ions is most preferably metal or (b) dissolving the pre-formed polymer in a suitable salts which are derived from transition metals of Group solvent and adding the desired metal ions to the solu- 5 "1B, [VB, VB, VlB, VllB, VlllB, lB, "A or [1B of the tion. Periodic Table, including the lanthanide and actinide The polymers employed in forming the catalysts of metals. Particularly effective are such metals as Co, Fe, this invention are generally'prepared'by polymerizing Ni, Mn, Cu, Ag, Pd, Pt, Rh, Mo, Pr, La, Cs, Nd and Gd, together one or more monomers according to wellof which Cu, Ni, Co, Fe and Nd are preferred. The aniknown polymerization techniques such that the resultons of these salts may be any inorganic groups, aling polymeric structure (i.e., backbone) contains as a though the chloride, bromides, nitrates, perchlorates repeating unit functional groups capable of forming and carbonates are generally preferred.

complexes with metal ions. It will be noted, however, The formation of the polymer-metal salt complex reas mentioned above, that said metal ions are not an inquires no critical conditions or ratios of components, tegral part of the polymer itself, but do comprise an esl5 and may conveniently be achieved by any method sential part of the ultimate catalyst. it is equally possiknown to those skilled in the art. Thus, for example, ble to prepare suitable polymers by known polymerizawhen the polymer is to be formed in the presence of the tion techniques wherein the polymeric backbone itself metal ions, this may conveniently be achieved by simdoes not contain the coordinating functionalities for l admixin stoichiometric quantities of the desired metal ions, but rather these functional groups reside inmetal salt with a compound (or compounds) which will tead in pendant Side Chainsprovide complexing sites in the resulting polymer, heat- An example of the first yp in y intended ing the mixture for a time sufficient for the polymer to to be restrictive) of polymer preparation may be conf m, d th re fter pulverizing, washing and drying densation p lym r z i n as illustrated in equation the polymer to provide the catalyst of this invention. It

to II HO C CH .coon H N-( CH -NH a (CH C-t i- CH H n H O The second type of polymer preparation (addition will be understood that when a polymerizable monopolymerization) is illustrated by equation (B). mer is used in combination with a compound which will H H p h gg- ('J-- CH 3 CH 3 CH O C C C C n r 0 0011 0" 0011 0" bcn OCH ui it will be understood, however, that there is no critiprovide functional groups in the resulting polymer, the cal combination of compounds required for the formaratio of these two compounds may be varied by those tion of these polymers other than those dictated by the skilled in the art in order to obtain the number of reacchemistry for their formation, and all that is essential tive sites desired. Generally, however, it has been found is that the resulting polymers contain functional groups that mole ratios of the two components in the range of capable of forming complexes with the metal ions de- 1:3 to 3:1, and preferably 2:1 to 1:2 are most suitable. scribed below, and that the polymer be insoluble under Alternatively, the polymer may be formed as above, the reaction conditions of the autoxidation process. but without the metal salt, followed by its fusion with Typical amongst the functional groups which are cathe metal salt, in which case, as above, stoichiometric pable of complexing with a suitable metal ion include quantities of salt and polymer are heated together at those organic radicals having the partial structural fortemperatures of from about 100 to 500C, depending mulas: upon the fusion temperature of the polymer, and pref- O 0 X erably 150 to 300C for periods of about 1 hour to 5 II It hours. Thereafter, the same procedures of pulverizing, washing and drying the resultant polymer may conve- Z niently be employed.

The following examples are illustrative of the prepa-' where X, Y, Z may be lower alkyl, aryl, alkoxy, thio, ration of some of the novel autoxidation catalysts used amino, cycloalkyl, seleno, etc. groups (or mixtures in the process of this invention.

thereof), and W may be 0, N or S. Compounds from which these functional groups may be derived include PQLYMER PREPARATION FOR USE IN alcohols, phenols, thiols, amines, alkyl halides, olefins yp CATALYSTS PREPARATION and the like.

Monomers which may be combined with the afore- EXAMPLE 1 said compounds to form the polymers of this invention Phenylphosphonic Dichloride-urea Polymer e I n i 1 c1 c1 11 R 0 NH E: 4-1: RN 0 NH-) HC To 3.15 g. of urea in a 50 ml flask equipped with a Urea (4.75 g.) and phosphorus oxychloride (7.6 g.) condenser is added 9.75 g. of phenylphosphoric dichloare heatedin a 50 m1. round bottom flask with magride. The mixture is heated to l 10C for 45 minutes and neti tirring under a ondenser for three hours. After tirr d it a mag Stirring a until the material the reaction is complete, the contents of the flask are becomes too viscous to stir. The temperature is then 5 intained at 130C for an additional two hours, raised to 255C for 1% hours at atmospheric pressure heated to 250C for an additional one-half hour, and

and for an additional one-half hour at reduced pressure then held at 250C under reduced pressure for another to facilitate removal of the product HCl. The solid is on -half hour, The product is scraped from the flask, ground to a fine powder, washed with ether and dried. pulverized and washed with ether and dried.

An elemental analysis of this material gives: C, 45.00; In accordance with the procedures of Example 1, H, 4.25; N, 15.80; P, 16.5. The calculated values for when 1.0 gms. of the above polymer is heated with 7.6 the repeating unit shown above are: C, 46.1; H, 3.85; gms. of CoCl the resulting product may be worked up N, 15.4; P, 16.6. to provide the corresponding cobalt catalyst.

A catalyst IS prepared from the above polymer by 5 PREPARATION OF OXIDATION CATALYST heating 1 g. of the polymer to 2 70 C for 2% hours with WITH METAL SALTS PRESENT DURING THE 0.72 g. of anhydrous nickel dichloride. The product POLYMERIZATION from this reaction 18 extracted with water in a Soxhlet extractor for four hours to remove the excess salt, then EXAMPLE 4 filtered and dried overnight in a vacuum dessicator. 20 Phosphine-urea Polymer H1012 P01 H2N g NR2 i: wet: NH g rut-) [H1012] EXAMPLE 2 A mixture of 6.5 g. of NiCl 9.7 g. of PC1 and 4.6 I g. of urea is pulverized together in a glass mortar. The

Phenyldlchlorophosphme-urea Polymer resulting powder is placed in a 50 m1. flask fitted with 1--1 0 1:0 +11 9 NH 4-r HN 3 mi 0 O (D O In accordance with the procedure described in Ex-i a condenser and a thermometer and heated until the ample l, a polymer is prepared by reacting 8.95 gms. PC]; begins to reflux at about 75C. Eventually the temof phenyldichlorophosphine with 3.15 gms. of urea at perature is raised to 190C and held there for about 3 110C for 45 minutes. The temperature is then raised hours. After cooling, the sample is removed and exto 255C for 1% hours at atmospheric pressure and for tracted in a Soxhlet extractor with water to remove any an additional one-half hour at reduced pressure to faunfeacted materials, removed and dried Overnightcilitate removal of l-lCl. The solid obtained on cooling EXAMPLE 5 is ground to a fine powder, washed with ether and dried. An elemental analysis of this product gives: C, Phenylphosphonic Dichloride-urea Polymer 3 Cl-P-Cl lrl ll-g-Nll +NdC1 II I! 44.45; H, The Values Calculated from In accordance with the procedure of Example 4, the

the above repeating units are: C, 50.6; H. 4.22; N, 16.9. 55 d mi m chloride (12.5 g.) is mixed with urea (3.0

Also in accordance with the procedures of Example g.) first and then reacted with phenylphosphonic di- 1, when 1.0 gm. of the above polymer is heated with 7.5 chloride (9.73 g.). The temperature is raised to 230C gms. of anhydrous nickel dichloride, the resulting prodover a 2 hour period and then maintained at 230C for uct may be worked up to provide the corresponding an additional 2 hours. A final heating of about 15 minutes duration under reduced pressure is used to aid in removal of gaseous reaction products. The product obtained on cooling the reaction vessel is pulverized and EXAMPLE 3 extracted with water in a Soxhlet extractor to remove Phosphonyl-urea Polymer any excess metal chloride.

nickel catalyst.

In accordance with the above procedure, but using A solution of 4- 8- moles) 0f rylamide in copper chloride as the metal salt, a copper-containing 4 of dime hylf rm mi is pr pared n a 50 polymer is formed which gives an elemental an l si round bottom flask which is swept continually with nithe following: C, 27.1; H, 2.72; Cu, 23.87. Calculated tr g nft r add g gmoles) of cuprous values assuming a 1:1-Cuzpolymer complex a are: C, chloride, the solution is heated to about 100C and 2 26.6; H, 2.22, Cu, 25.9. drops of a sodium dispersion in xylene is added to initiate polymerization. The reaction is rapid and after EXAMPLE 6 about minutes the solution is carefully quenched Phosphonyl-ethylene Diamine Polymer with water. The metal-containing polymer is'filtered II I v CH -N1-1 CuCl P001 H N CH CH m sung-2 PIN 2 x 2 Copper chloride (6 g.) is added to a 50 ml. round 1 5 and then extracted continuously overnight with water bottom flask fitted with a condenser and a thermometo remove any uncomplexed metal ions. The polymer ter. The phosphonyl chloride (9.7 g.) is added through is then dried under vacuum and pulverized. the condenser followed by the ethylene diamine (3.0

EXAMPLE 9 g.). After the initial reaction exotherm has subsided, the temperature is raised to about 1 C. The product Preparation of lron-Polyacrylamide (Addition obtained on cooling is worked up as described in the Polymerization) O H FeC1 CH =CH-C-NH #CH -(EH-y -[FeC1 I NR previous example. In a large three-necked flask equipped with a stirrer,

thermometer and gas inlet tube are placed 51.8 g. ac- EXAMPLE 7 rylamide and 414.7 g. distilled water. This solution is Phenylphosphoric Dichloride-Ethylene heated with stirring to C under carbon dioxide and Diamine-Cobalt Chloride Polymer 65 g. of ferrous chloride are carefully added. 7.7 g. of

isopropyl alcohol and 0.1 g. potassium persulfate are then added. The reaction solution is warmed up to about C and this temperature is maintained for 2 hours. The product polymeris isolated by precipitation in methanol, washed with methanol and dried under 40 vacuum.

Six grams of cobalt chloride salt is placed in the 35 equipment described in the proceeding example. 9.7 gms. of 'phenylphosphoric dichloride and 3.0 gms. of ethylene diamine are added sequentially via the condenser. A rapid exothermic reaction is observed with a temperature rise to 110C. The temperature is raised with a heater to 2 20 C over a period of 3 hours. After EXAMPLE 0 cooling the reaction product 18 cooled, crushed, and

water extracted overnight, and dried in an oven at Preparation of 1 1ron-Po1y(4,4-oxydiphenylurea/2,4-toluene urea) NCO FeCl NCO H CH 5 3 Q II o 9 f NH-C-N [FeCI1 EXAMPLE 8 In a ml. three necked round bottom flask equipped with a stirrer 1S placed 5.0 g. (0.025 moles) Preparam" P Catalys 65 of 4,4-diaminodiphenylether in 25 m1. of dimethyl- (cmdensamn'Type Pdymemmm) foramide. To this solution is first added 3.8 g. (0.03

o Na 0 H moles) of ferrous chloride (anhydrous), and then a so- To a solution of freshly distilled sebacoyl chloride (3 lution of 4.35 g. (0.025 moles) of 2,4 mls. in 100 mls. of freshly distilled tetrachloroethylene) toluenediisocyanate in 25 ml. of dimethylforamide as in a 200 ml. beaker is carefully added a solution of 44 soon as its been prepared. The reaction is stirred for g. hexamethylenediamine in 50 mls. of water. The polyone-half hour and then warmed to 50C for an addi- 5 meric film which forms at the interface of the two solutional one-half hour. The metal-containing polymer is tions is pulled from the beaker continuously until no isolated by pouring the reaction mixture into cold more forms. The formed polymer is washed with acewater with rapid stirring. The product polymer is extone and dried in a vacuum oven. tracted with water overnight to remove any uncom- To prepare a catalyst, 2.0g. of the above polymer is plexed iron salt, dried and further pulverized. l0 heated above its melt temperature (215 C) with 0.75

g. of anhydrous copper chloride for 3 hours and with occasional stirring. After cooling, the solid is pulverized, extracted with water continuously for several EXAMPLE H hours and then dried in a vacuum over at 50C over- Preparation of Poly (hexamethylene adipamide) night.

Additional Fusion-Type Catalyst Preparations o o I H H n n A H 11 CH N11 HOOC(CH C0OH- (CH N C CH M C x+ H O Adipic acid (0.100 mole, 14.6 g.) is dissolved in a EXAMPLE 13 flask in about 100 mls. of ethanol (dry) by the application of gentle heating and then cooled. To this solution Preparation of Poly(decomethyleneoxamide) O O O 0 I1 I! A H H H 1' H H N CH NH C H O-C-C-OC H N-(CH -N-C-C-N 2C H OH is added a solution of 11.8 g. (0.012 mole) of hexaln dry toluene (25 mls.) is dissolved 0.1 mole (17.23

methylene diamine dissolved in 25 m1. of absolute ethag.) decamethylenediamine, and to this solution connol. After mixing and cooling overnight, the crystals tained in a 3-necked 250 ml. flask equipped with a stirare filtered and washed with cold absolute ethanol and rer, drying tube and nitrogen inlet tube is added at one dried. The dried crystals are then charged to a heavytime 0.1 mole (20 g.) of dibutyl oxalate, the entire opwalled polymerization tube, the tube sealed and heated eration being carried out under an inert gas. Stirring is at about 220C for l to 2 hours. Normal safety precaubegun and white solid soon forms; stirring is continued tions are advised for working with glass tubing under until the mass is too thick to stir. Two hours later, the pressure. After the heat treatment has been completed mass is heated to 270C under an inert atmosphere. and the tube cooled, it is carefully opened and then re- During this period, the toluene distills off. The reaction heated to 270C under vacuum until the rise of water mass is kept at 270C for 1 hour, then cooled wherevapor bubbles in the melt indicates that the polymer upon the white polymeric mass forms. has reached maximum viscosity. The opaque white P y which forms on cooling is removed y break- A catalyst can be prepared from this polymer by reing the tube. heating the white mass in the presence of an equivalent A catalyst y be formed by reheating the P y amount of cobalt chloride (anhydrous), cooling, crushg-) until it fuses in the presence of gof ying the resulting solid and after extracting the excess drous nickel chloride, cooling the mixture, extracting l d i i a d i t the powdered melt for several hours to remove excess salt, then filtering and drying overnight in a vacuum dessicator. EXAMPLE l4 EXAMPLE 12 Preparation of Preparation of Polyhexamethylenesebacamide Poly(hexamethylene-m-benzenedisu1fonamide) 9, O H H 9 9 To a stirred solution of 145 mls. of distilled water, 20 methyl-3-phospholene oxide in a flask with refluxing mls. of percent aqueous Duponol, 5.30 g. of sodium and stirring (4-6 hrs.). The white powdered polymer is carbonate, and 3.02 g. of hexamethylenediamine is filtered, washed with benzene and dried. added over aperiod of about one-half minute 6.88 g. A catalyst can be prepared from this polymer by of m-benzenedisulfonyl chloride in 200 ml. of methyl- 5 heating a mixture of the powdered polymer with neoene chloride. After stirring for minutes, I00 ml. of dymium chloride until the melt point is reached. The absolute ethanol is added all at once. The solid is filcatalyst is then cooled, powdered, extracted with watered, washed with water, ethanol, acetone, hot water ter, and dried in a vacuum oven. and finally with acetone again. The polymer is dried at 7075C in a vacuumoven overnight. 0 EXAMPLE An active catalyst can be prepared from the above Preparation of polymer according to the procedure given in Example Poly(N,N-phthaloyl-trans-2,5-dimethylpiperazine) O CH ll C-Cl 0 0 H-N N-H N N- C C 13, except that the heating temperature in this case is In n ffi i nt mixer i la ed 6.5 g. (0.058 mole) of about 200C and manganese chloride substituted for -;,5-di h i i 25 l methylene h] the metal Sa t of that P 25 ride, ml. of 5 percent Duponol solution, and 150 ml.

of ice water containing 0.1 mole of sodium hydroxide.

EXAMPLE l5 To the rapidly stirred system is added at one time 7.2 Pr p r i n of ly ryl m ml. of phthaloyl chloride in ml. of methylene chloride. The mixture is stirred for 10 minutes, then poured into one liter of water; the methylene chloride is boiled k Q' NHQOH 2 off on a steam bath. The polymer is filtered, washed X C with 200 mls. of water three times and dried in a vac- NOH uum over at 70C.

NH A catalyst is prepared from the polymer according to the instructions in Example 13 by heating to 360C Polyacrylonitrile 5.0 g. is added to 30 ml. of dimethylformamide in a 200 ml., 3-necked flask equipped with a stirrer and held at 75C. Two g. of hydroxylamine hydrochloride and 1.5 g. of sodium carbonate (anhydrous) are added and the resulting mixture 40 with an equivalent amount of cobalt chloride.

DESCRIPTION OF THE OXIDATION PROCESS heated with stirring for 1 hour, Th polymer i h The process of this invention employing the aboveprecipitated by addition of excess m thanol, fil d, described types of catalysts is conveniently carried out washed with more methanol and dried, by the rapid passage of air or oxygen through a suitable A catalyst may be prepared from this polymer acreactor, to which has first been added the starting macording to the procedure of Example 13 sin f i 5 terial and catalyst. Solvents which are inert to the reacchloride as the metal salt. Alternatively, the polymer ti n may be employed if desired.

may be dissolved in dilute hydrochloridic acid and the The ir or oxyg h l e r gh in intimate ferric chloride added to this solution. The polymer contact with the liquid phase with vigorous agitation sumes a deep red-to-violet color upon addition of the either m h ic lly y h use f high pee irrer r ferric chloride which is characteristic of the ferric com-' by aeration using Suita le nozzl s Or the like.

plex of the arnideoxime group. The polymeric catalyst Mechanical agitation has been found to be particucan be precipitated from solution by the addition of exlarly effective in those cases where the rate at which the cess methanol and washed and dried in the usual manoxygenating gas is introduced into the reactor is low, ner. i.e., below about 3 liters per hour. Thus, for example,

when air is merely introduced at the surface of the re- EXAMPLE action mixture, agitation by a commercially available Preparation of Poly(2,2'-dimethoxy-4,4'-biphenylene reciprocating disc type stirrer (e.g., Vibro-Mixer, carbodiimide) Chemapec Company Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey) has 3 Y OCH CH OCH OCN rcO Ten g. of 2,2'-dimethoxy-4,4'-biphenylene diisocyabeen found to increase the rate of oxidation per hour nate is dissolved in ml. of hot(l00C) xylene. The by as much as four-fold over what is obtained with solution is polymerized using 0.04 g. of l-ethyl-3- lesser amounts of agitation.

Alternatively, these increased rates may similarly be achieved, and mechanical agitation substantially or entirely dispensed with by appreciablyincreasing the rate at which air or oxygen is introduced into the reaction medium. This is preferably accomplishedby bubbling the oxygenating gas through the reaction mixture, vig orously, desirably in such a manner as to'insure maximum dispersal of the gas through the medium, as for example, by using fritted glass discs or the like. Depending upon the amount of liquid medium involved, the rate of oxygenating gas may generally vary from about 3 to 300 liters per hour.

The amount of catalyst employed will vary depending upon the nature of the catalyst itself. In general, however, from about 0.0l to 5.0 parts by weight of catalyst per 100 parts of substrate, and preferably from 0.2 to 1.0 parts per 100 parts has been found to be satisfactory.

The rate of input of oxygen or air will likewise vary depending upon the reaction temperature and pressure employed. There should be provided an amount at least theoretically sufficient to convert the alkylaromatic compound to the corresponding hydroperoxide, and preferably an excess of this amount. in general, a flow rate ranging from 0.5 to 300 liters per hour is sufficient for most conversions, and preferably at least 3 liters per hour as described above. While the reaction is preferably carried out at atmospheric pressure, it is possible to employ an oxygen pressure of from about 0.2 atmospheres to 50 atmospheres, and preferably about 1 to atmospheres. At these higher pressures the oxidation rate is found to increase substantially when the polymeric complexes are employed, and particularly those catalysts which are selective for hydroperoxide fonnation.

The reaction temperature may range from about 80 to 200C, and preferably from 90 to 150C.

The reaction is generally run for from half an hour to ten hours, depending upon the amount of substrate employed and the degree of conversion desired. When, however, an hydroperoxide is the principal product being formed, it is desirable that the reaction be terminated after a period of l to 6 hours at which point the reaction rate usually begins to taper off.

The compounds which may be oxidized in accordance with the present invention are, as mentioned above, those organic compounds containing activated carbon-hydrogen bonds. That is to say, they include those hydrogen-containing carbon atoms, and particularly methylene and methine groups, which are adjacent certain activating groups. These activating groups include such groups as CH=CH, OR, NO halo, phenyl and the like, where R is alkyl or cycloalkyl.

Included amongst the starting material which are of particular use in the process are any straight or branched chain unsaturated oleflns having at least one hydrogen atom on the a carbon atoms, such as octenel and the like, as well as cyclic olefms having at least one hydrogen atom on the Q-CafbOI'l atoms, such as cyclohexene, cyclooctadiene, a-pinene, dl-limonene and the like. These olefins may contain substituent groups which are non-reactive under conditions of this process, as for example ester, halo, nitro, alkyl or like groups which remain as substituents of the final prod uct.

Also included as preferred starting materials in this process are secondary and tertiaryl alkyl aromatic hydrocarbons having the structural formula:

where R is lower alkyl; R is lower alkyl or hydrogen; Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic nucleus such as phenyl or naphthyl; and wherein R and R may be the same or different alkyl groups. The aromatic nucleus may be substituted by such groups as lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, halog, nitro or cyano radicals. Preferably, the secondary or tertiary alkylaromatic hydrocarbon is represented by such compounds as cumene, ethylbenzene, or sec.-butylnaphthalene, although it is understood that compounds such as n-butylbenzene, sec.- butylbenzene, isopropylnaphthalene and the like may also be employed. The lower alkyl groups may contain from 1 to 12 carbon atoms.

Many of these polymer metal complexes preferentially give yields of hydroperoxides to the exclusion of other oxidation products at conversion rates of at least about 3 to 8 percent per hours. In the case of those remaining metal complexes which yield lesser amounts or no hydroperoxides in the final product, but which do yield other oxidation products, while applicant does not wish to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that hydroperoxides are first formed which are then rapidly decomposed by the catalyst complex to 1 form alcohols, ketones and the like.

Advantageously, when the principal product is a hydroperoxide, small amounts of a hydroperoxide, preferably one corresponding to the desired product, may be introduced into the reaction medium to act as a reaction initiator. Thus, for example, when cumene is being oxidized, it has been found to be advantageous to add small amounts of cumyl hydroperoxide in order to further accelerate the initial rate of reaction. The amount of hydroperoxide to be added is not critical, but 0.1 percent to 1.0 percent by weight of the starting material is preferred.

As also mentioned hereinabove, the oxidation products of the instant process are generally alcohols, ketones, hydroperoxides, epoxides or mixtures thereof. Of these various products, maximization of the formation of the hydroperoxides is generally preferred inasmuch as those compounds derived from the alkylaromatic compounds are especially useful as intermediates in the preparation of such products as phenols, naphthols, acetone and the like, while those derived from,

:e.g., the olefin hydroperoxides, are useful in facilitating the drying capabilities of polymers, i.e., they are useful as siccative agents.

The resulting products are readily recovered from the reaction medium by conventional methods. Thus, for example, as hydroperoxide may be conveniently recovered by isolating it as its sodium salt by addition of concentrated aqueous NaOl-i to the reaction product, followed by separation and drying of the hydroperoxide salt.

The catalyst complexes of this invention are solid materials, even under the reaction conditions of this process, and, in fact, are insoluble in the oxidation product. They may, therefore, be readily recovered from the reaction mixture by simple filtration methods.

In the following examples, unless otherwise noted, both rate of conversion of the starting material and selectivity of the catalyst for converting the starting material to the corresponding hydroperoxide are measured.

To measure rate of conversion, regardless of the nature of the oxidation product, the amount of oxygen uptake in a closed system is used; to measure the amount of hydroperoxide formed, samples of the reaction medium are periodically withdrawn and iodometrically titrated to determine the hydroperoxide content. On the basis of both of these figures, the selectivity of any given catalyst for the formation of hydroperoxide can then be routinely determined.

EXAMPLE 18 20 In a standard reaction, 200 m moles (24.0 g.) of neat cumene is oxidized in a 100 ml. resin flask reactor immersed in a temperature-regulated oil bath at 100C. The catalyst is used at the O.l mole percent level. 2 m moles of cumene hydroperoxide initiator are added to eliminate the induction period. The rate of oxidation is followed by measuring the uptake of oxygen by means of a calibrated pressure transducer connected to a recorder. Agitation is provided by a Vibromixer. Periodically samples are withdrawn and their hydroperoxide content determined iodometrially. The oxygen uptake is regarded as a measure of the degree of conversion of the substrate, and the hydroperoxide content divided by the oxygen uptake is useful as a measure of the se-' lectivity of the catalyst for hydroperoxide.

The following table illustrates the results obtained from cumene oxidations using the catalysts of this invention. Dramatic increases in the rate of oxidation are evident. All reactions are carried out in the manner described above.

TABLE 1 Prep. 1 Hour 2 Hours Final Polymer-Ligand Metal Method Conv. Select. Conv. Select. Hours Conv. Select None None 0.43 100 1.10 100 7 9.7 92

Thermal Oxidation 100C H H 1lNfiN Ni Fusion 3.8 93 10.1 87 4 17.5 73

" Co Fusion 3.8 93 8.6 87 5 18.1 89 Cu Fusion 3.1 87 7.4 83 4 16.1 82 Co Polymer- 4.3 91 9.0 89

ization Cu Polymerl 1.4 84 22.6 86 3 33.0

ization Nd Polymer- 12.0 74 22.2 73 5 45.7 66

ization H H --PNCN Ni Polymer- 7.3 80 15.0 82 3 20.8 84

l ization d) I H H Co Polymerization 4.3 74 9.3 78 TNC--N Ni 12.1 53 21.6 62 4 37.3 67 IL Cu 14.7 51 26.3 58 4 44.7 58 H H N-(|IN Ni Polymerization 5.8 80 10.9 80 4 19.4 86

O I H H 1' NCH CH,N Cu 12.8 82 25.6 76 4 43.0 74

0 l H a --P-NCH,CH,N- Cu 5.0 9.4 88

What is claimed is:

1. As a novel composition, a water-stable polymer having a non-metal containing backbone, said backbone containing functional groups which are complexed with a metal of any of Group [B to VlllB, or "A of the Periodic Table, said polymer being further characterized in being a catalyst for the autoxidation of organic compounds containing carbon-hydrogen bonds activated by adjacent activating groups.

2. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the functional groups are incorporated in the backbone of the polymer.

3. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the functional groups are incorporated in pendant side chains attached to the backbone of the polymer.

4. The composition according to claim 1 prepared by fusing said water-stable polymer with a metal salt derived from any of Groups IE to VIllB or "A of the Periodic Table.

5. The composition according to claim 1 prepared by forming said water-stable polymer in the presence of a metal salt derived from any of Groups IE to VIIIB 0r [IA of the Periodic Table.

6. The composition according to claim 1 in which the polymer contains phosphorus and urea groups.

7. The composition according to claim 1 in which the polymer is polyacrylamide.

8. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the polymer is a phenylphosphonic dihalide-urea polymer.

9. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the polymer is a phenyldihalophosphine-urea polymer.

10. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the polymer is a phosphonyl-urea polymer.

11. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the polymer is a phosphine-urea polymer.

12. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the metal is nickel, copper, cobalt, iron or neodymium.

13. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the polymer provides functional groups containing one or more of the atoms C, N, P, O, S, and Se. 

2. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the functional groups are incorporated in the backbone of the polymer.
 3. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the functional groups are incorporated in pendant side chains attached to the backbone of the polymer.
 4. The composition according to claim 1 prepared by fusing said water-stable polymer with a metal salt derived from any of Groups IB to VIIIB or IIA of the Periodic Table.
 5. The composition according to claim 1 prepared by forming said water-stable polymer in the presence of a metal salt derived from any of Groups IB to VIIIB or IIA of the Periodic Table.
 6. The composition according to claim 1 in which the polymer contains phosphorus and urea groups.
 7. The composition according to claim 1 in which the polymer is polyacrylamide.
 8. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the polymer is a phenylphosphonic dihalide-urea polymer.
 9. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the polymer is a phenyldihalophosphine-urea polymer.
 10. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the polymer is a phosphonyl-urea polymer.
 11. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the polymer is a phosphine-urea polymer.
 12. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the metal is nickel, copper, cobalt, iron or neodymium.
 13. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the polymer provides functional groups containing one or more of the atoms C, N, P, O, S, and Se. 